Dysphagia is a well-documented sequela of stroke. Recent advancements in medical treatments for stroke include reperfusion therapies (endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) and thrombolysis). As outcomes ...following reperfusion therapies are typically measured via general functional scales, the pattern and progression of acute dysphagia following reperfusion therapies is less known. To determine the progression of acute dysphagia (0–72 h) following reperfusion therapies and relationships between various stroke parameters and dysphagia, twenty-six patients were prospectively recruited across two EVT and thrombolysis centres in Brisbane, Australia. Dysphagia was screened via the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) at the bedside at three timepoints: 0–24 h, 24–48 h, and 48–72 h post-reperfusion therapies. Across three groups (EVT only, thrombolysis only, or both), the incidence of any dysphagia within the first 24 h of reperfusion therapy was 92.31% (
n
= 24/26), 91.30% (
n
= 21/23) by 48 h, and 90.91% (
n
= 20/22) by 72 h. Fifteen patients presented with severe dysphagia at 0–24 h, 10 at 24–48 h, and 10 at 48–72 h. Whilst dysphagia was not significantly correlated to infarct penumbra/core size, dysphagia severity was significantly related to the number of passes required during EVT (
p
= 0.009).Dysphagia continues to persist in the acute stroke population despite recent advancements in technology aimed to reduce morbidity and mortality post-stroke. Further research is required to establish protocols for management of dysphagia post-reperfusion therapies.
The patient, clinician and administration staff perspectives of telehealth (specifically videoconferencing) services provided by Allied Health Professions (AHP) at a large quaternary hospital were ...explored. The purpose was to understand stakeholders’ perceptions of the service during initial COVID-19 restrictions and examine factors that influenced the implementation and sustained use of telehealth. A sequential mixed-methods approach was undertaken. Stage 1 involved surveys completed by patients (n = 109) and clinicians (n = 66) who received and provided care via telehealth, respectively, across six AHP departments. Stage 2 involved focus groups with clinicians (n = 24) and administrative staff (n = 13) to further examine implementation and sustainability factors.
All participant groups confirmed that telehealth was a valid service model and valued the benefits it afforded, particularly during COVID-19 restrictions. Both patients and clinicians reported that not all AHP services could be delivered via telehealth and preferred a blended model of telehealth and in-person care. Increased administrative staff assistance was needed to support growing telehealth demand. Main factors to address are the need to expand AHP telehealth models and workforce/patient training, improve workflow processes and enhance technical support.
Despite rapid implementation, telehealth experiences were overall positive. Study findings are being used to generate solutions to enhance and sustain AHP telehealth services.
Introduction
As COVID-19 restrictions reduce globally, services will determine what components of care will continue via telehealth. We aimed to determine the clinician, service, and system level ...factors that influence sustained use of telehealth and develop a framework to enhance sustained use where appropriate.
Methods
This study was conducted across 16 allied health departments over four health service facilities (Brisbane, Australia). It used a multi-method observational study design, involving telehealth service activity data from hospital administrative databases and qualitative interviews with allied health staff (n = 80). Data were integrated and analysed using Greenhalgh's Non-adoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread, and Sustainability framework.
Results
Increased telehealth use during the peak COVID period reverted to in-person activity as restrictions eased. Telehealth is unlikely to be sustained without a clear strategy including determination of roles and responsibilities across the organisation. Clinician resistance due to forced adoption remains a key issue. The main motivator for clinicians to use telehealth was improved consumer-centred care. Benefits beyond this are needed to sustain telehealth and improvements are required to make the telehealth experience seamless for providers and recipients. Data were synthesised into a comprehensive framework that can be used as a blueprint for system-wide improvements and service enhancement or redesign.
Discussion
Sustainability of telehealth activity beyond the peak COVID period is unlikely without implementation strategies to address consumer, clinician, service, and system factors. The framework can inform how these strategies can be enacted. Whilst developed for allied health disciplines, it is likely applicable to other disciplines.
Purpose
The primary aim of this study was to compare the attendance rates at a group lymphoedema education and same-day individual surveillance appointment between telehealth (TH) and in-person (IP) ...care for participants following breast cancer (BC) surgery. Secondary aims included evaluating participant satisfaction and costs between the two service models, while also determining the extent of technical issues and clinician satisfaction towards TH.
Methods
Participants following axillary lymph node dissection surgery attended a group lymphoedema education and same-day 1:1 monitoring session via their preferred mode (TH or IP). Attendance rates, satisfaction and costs were recorded for both cohorts, and technical disruption and clinician satisfaction for the TH cohort.
Results
Fifty-five individuals participated. All 28 participants who nominated the IP intervention attended, while 22/27 who nominated the TH intervention attended an appointment. Overall reported participant experience was positive with no significant differences between cohorts. All TH appointments were successfully completed. Clinicians reported high satisfaction for delivery of education (median = 4IQR 4–5) and individual assessment (median = 4IQR 3–4) via TH. Median attendance costs per participant were Australian $39.68 (Q1–Q3 $28.52–$68.64) for TH and Australian $154.26 (Q1–Q3 $81.89–$251.48) for the IP cohort.
Conclusion
Telehealth-delivered lymphoedema education and assessment for individuals following BC surgery was associated with favourable satisfaction, cost savings and minimal technical issues despite lower attendance than IP care. This study contributes to the growing evidence for TH and its potential applicability to other populations where risk for cancer-related lymphoedema exists.
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the interrater reliability of pediatric feeding assessments conducted via synchronous (real-time) telepractice. Secondary aims were to investigate parent and ...clinician satisfaction. Method: The eating and/or cup drinking skills of 40 children (aged 4 months to 7 years) were simultaneously assessed by one speech-language pathologist (SLP) leading the appointment via telepractice and a second SLP present in the family home. A purpose-designed assessment form was used to assess (a) positioning, (b) development, (c) oral sensorimotor function, (d) prefeeding respiratory status, (e) observation of eating and drinking, (f) parent-child interaction, (g) overall feeding skills, and (h) feeding recommendations. The telepractice SLP completed a postappointment satisfaction questionnaire, and parents completed five questionnaires specifically investigating perceptions of and satisfaction with the telepractice feeding appointment. Results: Agreement for all assessment components except intraoral examination (palate integrity and tonsils) was > 85%. All appointments were able to be conducted via telepractice, and for 90% of these (n = 36), clinicians agreed that telepractice was an effective service delivery method. Parents reported high levels of satisfaction with telepractice, with 76% reporting that the telepractice appointment was similar to a traditional in-person appointment. Conclusion: Study results demonstrated that synchronous pediatric feeding assessments conducted in family homes via telepractice were feasible, reliable, and acceptable to both clinicians and parents. Supplemental Material:
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
Introduction Following (chemo)radiotherapy (C/RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC), patients return to hospital for regular outpatient reviews with speech pathology (SP) and nutrition and dietetics ...(ND) for acute symptom monitoring, nutritional management, and swallowing and communication rehabilitation. The aim of the current study was to determine the feasibility of a home-based telehealth model for delivering SP and ND reviews, to provide patients with more convenient access to these appointments. Methods Service outcomes, costs, and consumer satisfaction were examined across 30 matched participants: 15 supported via the standard model of care (SMOC), and 15 via the home-based telehealth model of care (TMOC). Results All patients were successfully managed via telehealth. The TMOC was more efficient, with a reduced number ( p < 0.003) and duration ( p < 0.01) of appointments required until discharge. Significant patient cost savings ( p = 0.002) were reported for the TMOC due to decreased travel requirements. While staff costs were reduced, additional telehealth equipment levies resulted in a lower but non-significant overall cost difference to the health service when using the TMOC. High satisfaction was reported by all participants attending the TMOC. Discussion The findings support the feasibility of a home-based telehealth model for conducting SP and ND reviews post C/RT for HNC.
Background
The purpose of this study is to report the economic outcomes of a new synchronous telepractice service providing speech pathology intervention to patients with head and neck cancer at ...nonmetropolitan facilities.
Methods
A multisite randomized controlled trial comparing standard care versus a new synchronous telepractice model was conducted within a large Australian public cancer service. Data pertaining to health service costs (staff wages, equipment, and patient travel reimbursement), patient +/‐ carer costs (travel and wages), and patient‐reported quality of life (Assessment of Quality of Life questionnaire 4D) were collected.
Results
Eighty‐two referrals (39 standard care and 43 synchronous telepractice care) were managed. The new telepractice service reported average cost savings of 12% (P < .0058) for the health service and $40.05 saving per patient per referral. An equivalent positive increase in quality of life (0.04) was reported for both groups.
Conclusion
The synchronous telepractice service provides cost efficiencies over standard care for providing remote specialist speech pathology head and neck cancer intervention.
The COVID-19 pandemic drove rapid and widespread uptake of telepractice across all aspects of healthcare. The delivery of dysphagia care was no exception, with telepractice recognized as a service ...modality that could support social distancing/infection control, overcome service delivery challenges created by lockdowns/service closures, and address consumer concerns about attending in-person appointments. Now, almost two years since most services first rapidly deployed telepractice, it is time to reflect on the big picture, and consider how telepractice will continue as a service option that is sustained and integrated into mainstream dysphagia care. It is also timely to consider the research agenda needed to support this goal. To this end, in this paper we present 4 discussion topics, which raise key considerations for the current and future use of telepractice within adult and pediatric dysphagia services. These are (1) Dysphagia services must meet consumer and service needs; (2) Aspects of dysphagia services can be safely and reliably provided via telepractice; (3) Telepractice can be used in flexible ways to support the delivery of dysphagia services; and (4) Providing quality dysphagia services via telepractice requires planned implementation and evaluation. Then directions for future research are discussed. These considerations are presented to help shift perspectives away from viewing telepractice as simply a COVID-19 “interim-care solution”. Rather, we encourage clinicians, services, and researchers to embrace a future of “integrated care”, where traditional dysphagia services are combined with telepractice models, to enhance the quality of care provided to our clients.
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